By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo, anipr
Death is an inevitable transaction; it comes when the servant of Allah cannot predetermine. According to some scholars, it is a leveller, and will strike anyone no matter their level of power or influence in the society.
The demise of Mallam Abdulrazaq Akanbi of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ilorin on the 11th October, 2025 was another reminder about the futility and fleeting nature of our existence. He was a thorough broadcast journalist and he knew his onion.
He was a family unifier, very generous and a first class disciplinarian.
He lived within his income, because his philosophy had been that one should cut his coat according to his or her clothes.
As his son-in-law I had an ever green experience with him on the first day I met him in 2009. I used a particular English word and I learnt from him how I had mispronounced the word. He stressed that as a journalist, it was expected one would be slightly above his audience in terms of English usage and pronunciation. After that encounter with him I became a more conscious and cautious speaker of the English language.
He was very lively, a minute in his company would be well accorded with high sense of humour but embedded in reality. There was a day I visited him at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin and we were engaged in discussion with other guests. Thereafter, he made a comment I will never forget. He said “Dembo! I have a problem with your generation. I replied, what problem sir? He said you people lay emphasis on money, money and money; no doubt, money is good but is not everything. Integrity supercedes money”
Senator Saliu Mustapha in a condolence message issued by his media aide, Nasif Sholagberu, described the late AbdulRasaq Akanbi as a consummate professional, a voice of integrity, and one of the shining figures in Kwara’s broadcasting history.
The lawmaker noted that Akanbi’s dedication, eloquence, and commitment to truth in journalism earned him respect across the media landscape and endeared him to audiences far beyond the state.
Significantly,Pharm. Munirat Akanbi Bello described him thus,
“Daddy, as we fondly called him was our go to, uncle, rooted in principle and a great family man who holds family ties with passion. He was an impartial disciplined man, yet highly jovial; no dull moment with daddy. He loved children unconditionally and respected everyone. There is also this no-nonsense part of him. He spoke the truth without fear or favour.” Indeed, my knowledge of him reads a very honest personality who would say the truth no matter who was involved.
Moreover, continued Pharm. Munirat, “he was a big connector within the family, the vacuum he left will be hard to fill. We will surely miss him”.
May Allah overlook his shortcomings and grant him jannatu Firdaus”
Similarly, Mallam Mustapha Akanbi, the youngest brother of the late Akanbi described him as a generous, principled and disciplined personality. In his words, “the family would surely miss him, because he played a significant role in the unity of the family and I pray that Allah grants him aljannah firdaus”
At his Fidau on Tuesday, Sheikh Almisri eulogised and described him as a pious muslim. He said Akanbi was tested by Allah but stood firmly in his faith.
I can’t forget him, because my two sons have been in his care since birth. He was a great in-law who would never bother you with anything. There was a day he told me, “Dembo you are doing well for your kids, if you have not been doing the right thing, it doesn’t cost me anything to remind and scold you about it.
I pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah firdaus. May Allah also grant his wife, the Akanbi’s family and my humble self the fortitude to bear this huge loss.
